Analog television signal data delivery system

ABSTRACT

An analog television signal data delivery system provides a television program, called a data show, that is transmitted across standard television broadcast methods to data needy client systems, such as settop boxes, at certain times of the day. When the data show is recorded and specially demodulated it provides the client system with raw digital data to perform required or enhanced functions. Binary digital data is modulated into each frame of the data show. Each of the  480  scan lines in a frame have data modulated into it. Each scan line in the frame contains two bytes which yields 28800 bytes/sec. This high transfer rate results in an efficient data transfer method that is cost effective and easily broadcast. Another preferred embodiment of the invention designates some regions of the active video picture to contain visible images and other regions of the active picture to contain data. The non-data portions can be placed anywhere on the viewable frame. The client system receiver knows the channel, time, and duration that the data show is being broadcast. At the data show time, the client system records the data show on its local storage device and demodulates and decodes the data show at a later time or demodulates and/or decodes the data show on the fly. Once demodulated and/or decoded, the data are used as intended.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/347,181, filed on Jan. 8, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to the distribution of digital data acrossan analog signal in a computer environment. More particularly, theinvention relates to delivering digital data to a client system in acomputer environment using an analog television signal.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] Settop boxes were first introduced to the public when cabletelevision carriers began scrambling television signals to prevent theunauthorized reception of their cable signals. A settop box was placedbetween the incoming cable line and the customer's television set.Scrambled incoming cable television signals were received by the settopbox and remodulated to a standard analog television signal which wassent to the television set.

[0006] Since then, settop boxes have evolved into microprocessor-basedsystems that perform a myriad of functions. Settop boxes receive anddecode encoded television signals and convert the signals to ones thatare compatible with television sets. Cable and satellite carriers sendmessages to customers using settop boxes. Services such as pay-per-vieware ordered by customers using settop boxes. Internet access has alsobeen offered through settop boxes.

[0007] The most recent evolutionary stage of the settop box is theDigital Video Recorder (DVR). The DVR records television programmaterial on an internal hard disk. The DVR functionality is typicallycomplicated and requires computer software and television program datato operate.

[0008] In virtually all settop box environments today the settop deviceneeds a dedicated set of data to perform its operations. Most systemstoday use a phone line as an out of band data channel to both receiveand transmit data. Given the fact that every phone call from a settopbox has a cost, such costs would be greatly reduced if the data requiredby the settop box were to be broadcast to all receivers over a sharedmedium.

[0009] It would be advantageous to provide an analog television signaldata delivery system that provides data delivery via a low-costtelevision signal. It would further be advantageous to provide an analogtelevision signal data delivery system that enables data to be broadcastto a plurality of receivers simultaneously.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The invention provides an analog television signal data deliverysystem. The system provides data delivery to client systems via alow-cost television signal. In addition, the invention enables data tobe broadcast to a plurality of client systems simultaneously.

[0011] The invention provides a television program, called a data show,that is transmitted across standard television broadcast methods to dataneedy client systems, such as settop boxes, at certain times of the day.When the data show is recorded and specially demodulated it provides theclient system with raw digital data to perform required or enhancedfunctions.

[0012] The invention modulates binary digital data into each frame ofthe data show. Each of the 480 scan lines in a frame have data modulatedinto it using the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) NTSC closedcaption scheme (EIA-608). Each scan line in the frame contains two byteswhich yields 28800 bytes/sec.

[0013] This high transfer rate results in an efficient data transfermethod that is cost effective and easily broadcast.

[0014] Another preferred embodiment of the invention designates someregions of the active video picture to contain visible images and otherregions of the active picture to contain data. To the normal televisionviewer, the data modulated portion of a frame in a data show looks likea “snowy signal.” The non-data portions can be placed anywhere on theviewable frame.

[0015] The client system receiver knows the channel, time, and durationthat the data show is being broadcast. At the data show time the clientsystem reconfigures its input section from video mode into data mode andtunes to the specified channel. The client system can then record thedata show on its local storage device and demodulates and/or decodes thedata show at a later time or demodulates and/or decodes the data show onthe fly. Once demodulated, the data are used as intended if the downloadwas complete.

[0016] At the end of the duration of the data show, the input section ofthe client system is reconfigured for standard video mode and operatesin a normal manner.

[0017] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description in combination with theaccompanying drawings, illustrating, by way of example, the principlesof the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 is a block schematic diagram of a prior art approach ofusing connection based transmission media to download data to clientsystems according to the invention;

[0019]FIG. 2 is a block schematic diagram of the transmission path of adata show according to the invention;

[0020]FIG. 3 is a block schematic diagram showing how each scan line ina video frame is used to modulate binary data according to theinvention;

[0021]FIG. 4 is a block schematic diagram showing how visible regions ina video frame are mixed with modulate binary data according to theinvention;

[0022]FIG. 5 is a block schematic diagram showing a flowchart of thesteps taken in a client system when receiving a data show according tothe invention; and

[0023]FIG. 6 is a block schematic diagram showing the invention'sprocess of authoring a data show through the use of binary data in adata show by a client system according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The invention is embodied in an analog television signal datadelivery system. A system according to the invention provides datadelivery to client systems via a low-cost television signal. Inaddition, the invention enables data to be broadcast to a plurality ofclient systems simultaneously.

[0025] The invention provides an authoring, delivery, and recordingsystem for data consumed by a client system. Client systems record thedata delivered over a television signal and decode the data. Once thedata download is complete, the client system installs the data asneeded. The data are any type of digital data that can be used by amicroprocessor-based system, examples include: software, program data,electronic program guides, databases, encrypted content, etc.

[0026] Client systems include settop boxes such as: cable boxes,Internet settop boxes, and Digital Video Recorders. These unit are notnecessarily separate stand alone unit and are sometimes built into otherdevices such as television sets. The main features that the clientsystems share is that they require data and they have the ability toreceive television signals.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, client systems 103 such as television settopboxes have typically used out of band connection based transmissionmedia 102 (telephone, Internet, DSL, cable modem, etc.) to download datafrom servers 101. There are several drawbacks to using connection basetransmission media. The first is that these type of connections requirelarge amounts of scalable hardware to receive and service requests fromclient systems. A second drawback is that the connection basedtransmission media create additional costs for the operator to operateand maintain the equipment and connections to the client systems.Another drawback is that communicating with a large number of clientsystems takes time; each client must be serviced independently.

[0028] Some television settop boxes use the Vertical Blanking Interval(VBI) portion of a television signal to receive electronic program guidedata. However, the bandwidth of the VBI is not high enough to providelarge amounts of data in a short amount of time.

[0029] The invention provides a television program, called a data show,to data needy settop boxes at certain times of the day. When the datashow is recorded and specially demodulated it will provide the settopbox with raw digital data to perform required or enhanced functions.

[0030] With respect to FIG. 2, having a data show originate from abroadcaster 201 and transmitted across standard television broadcastmethods 202 (e.g., satellite, cable, and aerial signals), allows a largenumber of client systems 203, 204, 205 to simultaneously receive asoftware update, for example. This solves the problems with connectionbased transmission media described above. Having a signal that isbroadcast nationally across multiple carriers offers a cost effectiveapproach to data delivery. Settop boxes simply tune into the data showchannel at a predetermined time much like tuning into a normaltelevision show.

[0031] Television broadcast systems produce moving images on receiversby sending multiple pictures (frames) per seconds. These pictures aremade up of many scan lines, some visible, some not. In a video programthese scan lines are created so as to reproduce the visual picture.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 3, the invention modulates data into each frame301 of the data show. A frame 301 has 480 scan lines. Each of the 480scan lines have data modulated into it using the Consumer ElectronicsAssociation (CEA) NTSC closed caption scheme (EIA-608).

[0033] EIA-608 closed captions are captions formatted and presented inthe current analog television system and carried in the two fields ofline 21 of the vertical blanking interval. Field one contains CC1, CC2,T1, and T2 (the latter being text services) and field 2 contains CC3,CC4, T3, and T4. CC1 is most often used to carry verbatim Englishcaptions and CC3 is increasingly being used for Spanish-languagecaptions and captions edited for young children. EIA-708B is thestandard for conveying caption data in a digital television signal.EIA-608 is easily converted to EIA-708B format. Many television scanline modulation schemes exist today with the most popular ones beingEIA-608 and Teletext.

[0034] One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that althoughEIA-608 is mentioned above, any modulation scheme can be used in placeof EIA-608.

[0035] Line 21 is not visible on the television screen when the programmaterial is viewed. The line 21 modulation scheme allows two bytes to besent in line 21 in each frame. There are 30 frames a second. This meansthat a typical television program can transmit 60 bytes per second overline 21.

[0036] A preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes the entire frame301. Each scan line 302 in the frame 301 contains two bytes 303, 304.Using the entire frame yields:

2 bytes×480 lines×30 frames/sec.=28800 bytes/sec.

[0037] This high transfer rate results in an efficient data transfermethod that is cost effective and easily broadcast. The viewability ofthe data show is not a concern (as in a video program) because thesettop box tunes to the data show channel at a time where the user isnot using the settop box.

[0038] In a data show, desired scan lines are modulated so as to containbinary digital data. There is no rule that all scan lines of a givendata show need to be modulated data.

[0039] With respect to FIG. 4, another preferred embodiment of theinvention has some regions of the active video picture containingvisible images 403. To the normal television viewer, the data modulatedportion 402, 404 of a frame 401 in a data show looks like a “snowysignal.” Given this, it has been advantageous to have a portion 403 (orportions) of the video not encoded with data, but having aninformational banner. The non-data portions can be placed anywhere onthe viewable frame.

[0040] Recording of the Data Show

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, through some mutually agreed uponmechanism, the client system receiver 203, 204, 205 needs to know thechannel, time, and duration that the data show is being broadcast. Forexample, program guide data is sent to the client system that is a DVR.The client system knows the title of the data show and it can scheduledata show recordings when it finds the data show in the most recentlydownloaded program guide data. A regularly scheduled data show can bebroadcast so the client systems have a regular source of data updates(e.g., electronic program guides).

[0042] At the data show time 501 the client system 204 reconfigures itsinput section from video mode into data mode 502 and tunes to thespecified channel 503. The client system 204 can then record the datashow on its local storage device 206 or demodulate and/or decode thedata show on the fly 504. The parameters for which video lines containmodulated data and which video lines contain true video can be eitherpreviously agreed upon or embedded in a well known location of the datashow.

[0043] Many different approaches to partitioning data in a data show canbe used. One example places a header at the beginning of the data so theclient system can identify the beginning of the data. The client systemdiscards everything read up to the header. The client system can thendecode up until the time the data show ends. Another example places anend tag at the end of the data so the client system knows when to stopdecoding in spite of when the end of the data show is scheduled(broadcast times can be inaccurate between carriers).

[0044] A further example segments the data using headers and end tags topartition the data into smaller segments. This allows easy recovery forthe client system in case of an interrupted signal. The client systemknows where it left off in the decoding sequence and can read anddiscard data up to that point in a subsequent data show (if thesubsequent data show is the same as the interrupted data show).

[0045] Since the television broadcast signal is subject toenvironmental, transmission and line quality conditions an errorcorrection code, such as Reed-Solomon, can be used to correct errorsintroduced during the transmission and reception process. The errorcorrection is performed when the entire data show is received or, in thecase of segmented data, when each segment is received.

[0046] At the end of the duration of the data show, the input section ofthe client system 204 is reconfigured for standard video mode and thenoperates in a normal manner 505.

[0047] Once demodulated, the data can then be stored to memory or alocal storage device 206. If stored, a post processing phase can beginwhere the data is transformed into a format similar to the data usedfrom a phone call in a connection based system, in which case a highlevel of software reuse occurs (making client systems easily modified touse the invention), or the data are used as intended if the download wascomplete 507.

[0048] If the data was recorded, then the data are read from the localstorage device 206 and demodulated and/or decoded 506 before being used507.

[0049] Data Show Authoring

[0050] An intricate aspect of the invention is the creation of the datashow. In most broadcast systems, tapes are used as the mechanism forstorage and broadcast playback. Therefore, to author a data show anauthoring system with a digital frame buffer where individual lines ofmodulated data can be composited (along with a non-data video onlyregion) and then recorded onto tape is needed. One such embodiment is acomputer with a Serial Digital Output PCI card. Such a card has theability to digitally author any type of video and then transmit thevideo in SMPTE-259 format into a video tape recorder for recording (manybroadcast quality video tape recorders have a SMPTE-259 digital input).

[0051] This authoring process can occur in any physical location. Thetape is then delivered to the broadcaster. The most optimal location isto have authoring occur at the physical distribution/uplink plant. Thiswould prevent a costly and risky shipment of the tape. Of course, withthe authoring process at the physical distribution/uplink plant at adigital transmission facility, the digital output of the authoringsystem can be directly stored and used.

[0052] The End-To-End Process

[0053] With respect to FIG. 6, the end-to-end process is begun with adata set needed by the client system. This data is authored into a datashow 601 and recorded onto a video tape or other media 602. At apredetermined time, also known by the client system, the tape is thenplayed by a local or nationwide broadcaster 603, such as DiscoveryNetworks.

[0054] The feed from the broadcaster is then received by the local cablecompany and retransmitted locally. The data show is then present at theinput of the client system, at which point the input section of thereceiver is configured for data 604. The client system then begins todemodulate the data show 605. At this point or later, the data is postprocessed and used 605.

[0055] The client system is placed back into video mode where the clientsystem can operate normally 606. The decoded data is then consumed bythe client system in the manner that the data are intended to be used607.

[0056] In order to allow for flexibility for the user, the data show maybe broadcast multiple times per day or week or however often needed.

[0057] Although the invention is described herein with reference to thepreferred embodiment, one skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat other applications may be substituted for those set forth hereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.Accordingly, the invention should only be limited by the claims includedbelow.

1. A process for creating and transmitting television broadcast signalscarrying data for client systems, comprising the steps of: providingmeans for creating a data show; wherein said creating means modulatesbinary data intended for client systems in each frame of said data show;wherein each entire frame is used to modulate the data; broadcastingsaid data show using television broadcast signals; and receiving saiddata show on a plurality of client systems.
 2. The process of claim 1,wherein each video scan line used to modulate data in a frame containstwo bytes of data.
 3. The process of claim 1, wherein each video scanline used to modulate data in a frame is modulated using closedcaptioning standard EIA-608.
 4. The process of claim 1, wherein eachclient system is notified of the channel, time, and duration that saiddata show is being broadcast.
 5. The process of claim 4, wherein aclient system tunes to the channel that the data show is being broadcastat the specified broadcast time.
 6. The process of claim 5, wherein aclient system records said data show on a local storage device, whereinthe client system demodulates and decodes the recorded data show afterthe recording is completed, and wherein the demodulated and decoded dataare consumed by the client system in the manner that the data areintended to be used.
 7. The process of claim 5, wherein a client systemdemodulates and decodes said data show on the fly, and wherein thedemodulated and decoded data are consumed by the client system in themanner that the data are intended to be used.
 8. The process of claim 1,wherein parameters indicating which video scan lines in a frame containmodulated data and which video scan lines contain true video are eitherpreviously agreed upon between said creating means and client systems orembedded in a well known location of said data show.
 9. The process ofclaim 1, wherein a header is placed at the beginning of the data in saiddata show so a client system can identify the beginning of the data. 10.The process of claim 9, wherein a client system decodes said data showuntil the time the data show is scheduled to end.
 11. The process ofclaim 9, wherein an end tag is placed at the end of the data in saiddata show, and wherein a client system stops decoding the data when theend tag is encountered.
 12. The process of claim 1, wherein the data insaid data show is segmented using headers and end tags to partition thedata into smaller segments.
 13. A process for creating and transmittingtelevision broadcast signals carrying data for client systems,comprising the steps of: providing means for creating a data show;wherein said creating means modulates binary data intended for clientsystems in each frame of said data show; modulating the data intovisible and non-visible areas of each frame in said data show;designating at least one sub-region of a frame's visible area to containvisible images instead of modulated data; broadcasting said data showusing television broadcast signals; and receiving said data show on aplurality of client systems.
 14. The process of claim 13, wherein eachvideo scan line used to modulate data in a frame contains two bytes ofdata.
 15. The process of claim 13, wherein each video scan line used tomodulate data in a frame is modulated using closed captioning standardEIA-608.
 16. The process of claim 13, wherein each client system isnotified of the channel, time, and duration that said data show is beingbroadcast.
 17. The process of claim 16, wherein a client system tunes tothe channel that the data show is being broadcast at the specifiedbroadcast time.
 18. The process of claim 17, wherein a client systemrecords said data show on a local storage device, wherein the clientsystem demodulates and decodes the recorded data show after therecording is completed, and wherein the demodulated and decoded data areconsumed by the client system in the manner that the data are intendedto be used.
 19. The process of claim 17, wherein a client systemdemodulates and decodes said data show on the fly, and wherein thedemodulated and decoded data are consumed by the client system in themanner that the data are intended to be used.
 20. The process of claim13, wherein parameters indicating which video scan lines in a framecontain modulated data and which video scan lines contain true video areeither previously agreed upon between said creating means and clientsystems or embedded in a well known location of said data show.
 21. Theprocess of claim 13, wherein a header is placed at the beginning of thedata in said data show so a client system can identify the beginning ofthe data.
 22. The process of claim 21, wherein a client system decodessaid data show until the time the data show is scheduled to end.
 23. Theprocess of claim 21, wherein an end tag is placed at the end of the datain said data show, and wherein a client system stops decoding the datawhen the end tag is encountered.
 24. The process of claim 13, whereinthe data in said data show is segmented using headers and end tags topartition the data into smaller segments.
 25. An apparatus for creatingand transmitting television broadcast signals carrying data for clientsystems, comprising: means for creating a data show; wherein saidcreating means modulates binary data intended for client systems in eachframe of said data show; wherein each entire frame is used to modulatethe data; broadcasting said data show using television broadcastsignals; and receiving said data show on a plurality of client systems.26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein each video scan line used tomodulate data in a frame contains two bytes of data.
 27. The apparatusof claim 25, wherein each video scan line used to modulate data in aframe is modulated using closed captioning standard EIA-608.
 28. Theapparatus of claim 25, wherein each client system is notified of thechannel, time, and duration that said data show is being broadcast. 29.The apparatus of claim 28, wherein a client system tunes to the channelthat the data show is being broadcast at the specified broadcast time.30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein a client system records said datashow on a local storage device, wherein the client system demodulatesand decodes the recorded data show after the recording is completed, andwherein the demodulated and decoded data are consumed by the clientsystem in the manner that the data are intended to be used.
 31. Theapparatus of claim 29, wherein a client system demodulates and decodessaid data show on the fly, and wherein the demodulated and decoded dataare consumed by the client system in the manner that the data areintended to be used.
 32. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein parametersindicating which video scan lines in a frame contain modulated data andwhich video scan lines contain true video are either previously agreedupon between said creating means and client systems or embedded in awell known location of said data show.
 33. The apparatus of claim 25,wherein a header is placed at the beginning of the data in said datashow so a client system can identify the beginning of the data.
 34. Theapparatus of claim 33, wherein a client system decodes said data showuntil the time the data show is scheduled to end.
 35. The apparatus ofclaim 33, wherein an end tag is placed at the end of the data in saiddata show, and wherein a client system stops decoding the data when theend tag is encountered.
 36. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the datain said data show is segmented using headers and end tags to partitionthe data into smaller segments.
 37. An apparatus for creating andtransmitting television broadcast signals carrying data for clientsystems, comprising: means for creating a data show; wherein saidcreating means modulates binary data intended for client systems in eachframe of said data show; modulating the data into visible andnon-visible areas of each frame in said data show; designating at leastone sub-region of a frame's visible area to contain visible imagesinstead of modulated data; broadcasting said data show using televisionbroadcast signals; and receiving said data show on a plurality of clientsystems.
 38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein each video scan lineused to modulate data in a frame contains two bytes of data.
 39. Theapparatus of claim 37, wherein each video scan line used to modulatedata in a frame is modulated using closed captioning standard EIA-608.40. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein each client system is notified ofthe channel, time, and duration that said data show is being broadcast.41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein a client system tunes to thechannel that the data show is being broadcast at the specified broadcasttime.
 42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein a client system recordssaid data show on a local storage device, wherein the client systemdemodulates and decodes the recorded data show after the recording iscompleted, and wherein the demodulated and decoded data are consumed bythe client system in the manner that the data are intended to be used.43. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein a client system demodulates anddecodes said data show on the fly, and wherein the demodulated anddecoded data are consumed by the client system in the manner that thedata are intended to be used.
 44. The apparatus of claim 37, whereinparameters indicating which video scan lines in a frame containmodulated data and which video scan lines contain true video are eitherpreviously agreed upon between said creating means and client systems orembedded in a well known location of said data show.
 45. The apparatusof claim 37, wherein a header is placed at the beginning of the data insaid data show so a client system can identify the beginning of thedata.
 46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein a client system decodessaid data show until the time the data show is scheduled to end.
 47. Theapparatus of claim 45, wherein an end tag is placed at the end of thedata in said data show, and wherein a client system stops decoding thedata when the end tag is encountered.
 48. The apparatus of claim 37,wherein the data in said data show is segmented using headers and endtags to partition the data into smaller segments.